Paddling also became a way of spending quality time with family. Steve and his sister Kim have paddled near and far. Kayaking also became a way of sharing good times with friends. From day trips around Key Biscayne to weekend camping trips out to Nest Key, kayaking went from hobby to passion.

In an inspired fit of insanity, he and three co-workers from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, paddled from Key Largo to Key West in the summer of 1998, simply "to see if it could be done."

In what they now call "The Experiment", the foursome battled darkness, fatigue, hunger, massive mosquitoes, angry homeowners and had the time of their lives.

The following spring, Steve’s mom lost her long battle with lung cancer. At her wake, Steve told Kim something had to be done. He knew now, first hand, how devastating cancer can be to those who have it -- and those who love them.

What happened next, Steve calls "an inspired moment." He decided to use his passion as a way to help. Knowing he couldn’t go back to school, become a doctor and find a cure for cancer himself, he decided to help those who are already in the labs.

He dreamed up a plan to hop in a kayak, paddle the Atlantic Ocean down to Key West and raise money for cancer research.

His original plan was to do it by himself. Just Steve, the water, the mangroves, a change of clothes and a mission. But as he tells it, "I realized I couldn’t stand myself alone for a week."

So he took his admittedly wild idea back to his friends and co-workers.

Bob Linfors (above) was the first on-board. The 30-something English teacher had joined OB on the ‘98 excursion and was not about to turn down this challenge. Bob also had his heart in the mission, having lost a grandfather to cancer.

Fellow Columbus teacher Dave Isenberg was the next to sign on. The muscle-bound wrestling coach was ready for a battle. The balding father of two had just lost his young wife to breast cancer. He, too, wanted to stop cursing the darkness.

After raising money through the spring, the Castaways prepared to ship off for their first annual trip in June 2000. Steve was the captain and Bob was the navigator. The starting point was Black Point Marina in South Miami-Dade. After six days of stiff winds, scorching sunshine and tear-inducing muscle pain, they safely landed in Key West.

Tears were shed, beer was drunk and laughs were had. The unimaginable had been accomplished, loved ones were remembered and $10,000 had been raised for the American Cancer Society.

In the summer of 2001, the Castaways Against Cancer, once again, pushed off for the Conch Republic. But this time, the team shipped off from South Beach, adding a day of travel. The 150-nautical mile trip now took seven days to complete. They camped at mosquito-infested locales along the way including Elliott Key and a remote, rocky point in north Key Largo. Armed with another $10,000 for the ACS, the team paddled hard for a week and made a triumphant arrival behind the Wyndam Casa Marina in Key West.

In 2002, no change was made to the team or the travel map. The only change was the month on the calendar. The previous two years, the Castaways paddled in June, just after school let out for the summer. But in ‘02, Bob taught summer school. As a result, the kayak trip was pushed back to July. The Castaways learned an important lesson that summer. July is actually hotter than June. As OB mentioned in an interview for WIOD, "It was nice today. Warm and sunny. In fact, we were four feet from the surface of the sun." The team again raised $10,000 for cancer research and arrived safely in Old Town.

The powerful grip of evolution took over the Castaways in 2003. New horizons were tested as two rookie paddlers joined the fray, a veteran took a break and the Captain went solo.

Craig Engler, Chad's roommate (left), and Jeff Croucher (right), Patrick's friend since birth, decided to take a brave step and join the kayak team. Craig was a scientist for NOAA in Miami, while Jeff was a scientist for Fugro Chance Inc. in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both fields of work have them traveling all over the world to study the ocean in one way or another.

All of these changes added up to many firsts for the Castaways: the first time we used three boats, the first time we had more than four paddlers and the first time we were without a true navigator.

In 2003, the Castaways battled wind, rain, back-to-back 30-mile days, exhaustion and heat. But the upside made up for all of the aches and pains. The team was able to raise more than $15,000 for the ACS, finally breaking the $10,000 plateau for the first time.

While the 2004 adventure will be remembered for great weather and awe-inspiring marine life, the trip will always be defined by its opening act.

As Castaways crossed Government Cut at the Port of Miami, 4th year veteran Chad was thrown off-balance and capsized. Already out of the channel, Patrick and Jeff fought their way back in to assist their fallen comrade. After a tense showdown with an outgoing freighter, and a fortunate rescue from a passing Samaritan, all six made it across with some bruised egos, a few scratches, and one hell of a story.

2004 was also a great year for exposure. The Castaways had their first ever TV news exposure on CBS-4 in South Florida. In addition to the usual coverage on WIOD, a pre-trip interview with Paul and Ron on Big 105.9-FM proved to be helpful. Several boaters knew who the Castaways were before the team could toot its own horn. Many said they heard about the trip on the radio. Upon arrival in Key West, the team was front page news in The Citizen. The Castaways were also inducted into the Conch Republic Navy.

Not that we needed another reason to paddle, but in 2005 the mission grew more personal. After helping raise thousands of dollars for cancer research over the years, in January, team navigator Bob Linfors was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma, and like so many of the people we’ve paddled for was forced to undergo chemotherapy.

Armed with a new sense of purpose, the Castaways planned their journey. After the close call in 2004, the launch point was now from Key Biscayne, a mile south of the dreaded Government Cut. The launch, however, was delayed due to the passing of Hurricane Dennis. In order to keep our various lodging reservations, the journey had to be cut a day short. For the first time since 2000, the Castaways returned to lauch from Black Point Marina.

2005 was also the year of.. the Toilet Seat. After discovering Toilet Seat Row in 2004, the following Spring, Jeff purchased a toilet seat, painted it red, white and blue, drew our team logo on the cover and wrote, "Miami to Key West; Since 2000; You Can't Hurt Steel". We humped it all the way to the channel and installed the work of art. Last we checked, it was still there. (Update: it only survived 2 years 5 months)

At the end of our journey, as we rounded the White Street pier and approached the shores of the Wyndam Casa Marina, in the distance we saw our fellow Castaway, Bob, welcoming us back to the Conch Republic. We are proud to say that Bob beat his cancer, and is a reminder that we will never stop fighting.

After six years, the Castaways Against Cancer had raised more than $90,000 for the American Cancer Society and were looking forward to the summer of 2006. Their 7th-annual brought more changes. For instance: the addition of our first rookie in 3 years.

Anthony Berger (left), a co-worker and friend of Patrick, thus rounded out the 7th trip... with a 7th kayaker. And in a strange twist of fate, a last minute cancellation of veteran member Craig Engler brought about the addition of another rookie for the 2006 adventure, Jeff's brother-in-law, Greg Trainor (right).

As if starting off with eight paddlers wasn't enough to make OB sweat, there were two "Junior Castaways" that joined the crew for the first few days.. Dave Bracknell who had recently completed the Paddle Across Florida, and an extra special guest Sandy Valdes (a member of the Iron Manatee Club), who's efforts helped raise close to $20,000 for the ACS through Christopher Columbus High School.

Bad weather.. the '007 ballad for Year Eight. No changes to the course, but Mother Nature ruled the seas. Thanks to TS Barry, the loss of day one took the crew to their secondary launch point of Black Point Marina (used in '00 & '05). Another shock was the near loss of Veteran Castaway, Patrick, who valiantly stayed home to care for his possibly ill, and expecting wife, Patty.

New challenges and New Castaways... a South Florida Firefighter, Pedro "Pete" Almedia (left), decided to put his mettle to the test and contacted OB with his interest. And after many years of support, Adam Scholer (right), a teacher at Columbus finally committed to pulling a paddle for the cause.

Despite the adversities before them, Patrick returned on Day Two to complete the trip after hearing good news back home. The same day Nick Woll, Frank & Monica's son, joined us for a community service project for his graduation. But most notably, the crew broke all previous records bringing in over $40,000 for the ACS (over $160,000 total since 2000, if you're keeping track).

The Ninth Annual Castaways adventure proved to be an amazing year of exposure for the team. As fundraising began for the 2008 season, Veteran Jeff Croucher released the first 'Tripumentary' video documenting the 2007 trip. Outsiders were given a first-hand look of the team battling their way through the Florida Keys. Along with the video, various members were interviewd on TV and radio from Miami to Mississippi, and the team made the Miami Herald AND the front page of the Key West Citizen!

Monica Woll of our esteemed sponsor Florida Bay Outfitters joined the crew for all seven days of the trip. Monica, co-owner of FBO, is no slouch when it comes to paddling. She is a Trail Specialist for the Office of Greenways and Trails on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail. Say that ten times fast!

2009 marked the Tenth Annual Adventure and the first odd year since 2003 that the crew launched on schedule! The 'Odd Curse' (a phenomena where the odd numbered trip years are plagued with problems) still proved difficult in this year of recession; most notably were the events on the Elliott Key 'Survival School' where a terrible lightning storm drummed up some of the most dangerous conditions ever experienced by the crew while camping. As stated by our former US Marine, Pete: "That was the worst night I've ever experienced."

After expressing his interest for many years, Heath Harwood, a friend and former co-worker of Jeff's in Mississippi, finally came on board. Heath proved himself as a true Castaway by surviving seven days of paddling solo and by leaving Key West with the first ever Castaways tatoo... and a prowess for eating 50 eggs.

Twenty-Ten marked the official Tenth Anniversary for the team. As with many previous years it was notable due to a very different dynamic with three Veteran Castaways unable to make the trip, a new Rookie, a former "One-and-Done"er back for a second taste of the salty fray, and a new Captain. Founding member Bob a.k.a. "Apron Strings" had to focus on the needs of the family, and "Saucemaster" Jeff missed his first trip after 7 consecutive years due to family and work priorities. In a last minute SHD (smart-husband-decision), Greg "Rainman" left the crew after only a few days to tend to his very pregnant wife in Orlando. Assumed-Former Castaway, Anthony, decided four years of being teased for not returning was enough and threw his hat back in the ring. And last, and never least, a new rook was welcomed to the ranks: Eric Pino. Leading the band of Sea Hippies was the newly appointed Team Captain: Patrick.

The crew faced the typical challenges, but took on a brutal Keys Crossing proving yet again that the trip is never mundane, nor one to take lightly. The year introduced the exciting "Twenty-Tens" fundraising campain to have friends and family collect twenty ten dollar bills, which ultimately the team raised over $30,000 for the ACS! Once again, the Castaways were proud to be featured on Miami and Florida Keys radio. Also, the CAC joined the Tweeting world of Twitter with Sophomore Castaway, Heath, sending real-time updates and pictures for the world to see. Finally, taking advantage of his time on shore, Team Webmaster, Jeff, rebuilt the entire website from scratch and also gave website visitors a chance to track the hourly progress of the crew using a commercial grade satellite tracking receiver provided by ARGOS, and carried by Veteran Castaway, Craig.

Preparations and celebration for the Castaways' Twelfth Annual Adventure: The Dirty Dozen Tour are well underway. Current plans are to follow a similar course starting June 11th, 2011 - a week later than departures for the last few years. A notable change will be our launch site: we will NOT be launching from Virginia Key, rather we will launch from Kenneth M. Myers Park in Coconut Grove! (Go to our Latest News section for directions.) The team roster is set and unfortunately, Heath and Chad are officially out for 2011.

In addition to the usual suspects, the crew has taken on the infamous Keszey Brothers: Robbie (L) & Stephen (R). The boys are deadly reptile, rodent, and insect wrangling co-owners of the Glades Herp Farm.  Their wild dynamic is what will be featured in their very own television show that airs on The Discovery Channel: Swamp Brothers! Thus rounding out our Dirty Dozen indeed.

Come join us for an amazing year!

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Our goal has not changed: Find a cure. How? Together.

We've had a lot of fun kayaking the Keys and hope to do it for years to come -- and the team never plans to lose focus. As Steve says, "Kayaking reminds me of chemo. It's long, repetitive and very private. You just have to battle to find the good when you're feeling so bad."

Stay tuned to these very pages for updates of our next journey.